Harmony Unveiled: A Melodic Exploration of Emotional Wellbeing Among Young Pacific Women in Aotearoa New Zealand

<p><strong>Emotional wellbeing is a cornerstone of a good life. For young Pacific women, members of a migrant community in Aotearoa New Zealand, wellbeing is important because it impacts how they view themselves, their role as members of their families and communities, and influences how they interpret and approach complicated challenges. However, this area is under-researched and often misunderstood. Aspects of family and culture deserve more attention, as do matters related to migration and generational change. My aim with this research is to shed more light on young Pacific women’s experiences of emotional wellbeing challenges and support in Aotearoa New Zealand, to promote understanding of a Pacific sub-group that is often overlooked. This thesis uses a Pacific qualitative approach, talanoa, as both the chosen method and methodology. Talanoa is particularly suitable in Pacific research on topics that concern and affect Pacific peoples; the underpinning relational values of talanoa are interwoven throughout its foundation and help researchers uphold shared Pacific values such as respect, appreciation, and service. One-on-one talanoa sessions with 20 young Pacific women provide the data for this study. As a result, reasons for the lack of understanding regarding emotional wellbeing of young Pacific women are revealed. These include assumptions about family dynamics, childhood home environments, parents’ and elders’ experiences as children, cultural influences, community approval and disapproval regarding support, and intergenerational trauma. The findings indicate the need for support within Pacific communities to challenge negative perspectives of emotional wellbeing, support within families to acknowledge intergenerational trauma that impacts relationships, and the potential benefit to support services of increased knowledge of Pacific peoples’ trauma and history in Aotearoa New Zealand.</strong></p>